Loom harness



i INVENTOR JOHN J. KAUFMANN ATTORNEY J. J. KAUFMANN Loom HARNESS l Filed Aug. 31, 1949 I9 20' BY We July 1, 1952 Patented July 1, 1952 LOOM HARNES S John J. Kaufmann, Elkins Park, Pa., assignor to Steel Heddle Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a, corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 31, 1949, Serial No. 113,429

15 Claims. 1

rIhis invention relates to loom harness, and it relates more particularly to the construction and arrangement of the top and bottom rails of the harness frames commonly employed in looms, in which frames the heddles are mounted for the purpose of forming the successive sheds of the warp threads during the weaving operation.

In the loom harness frames at present in common use, the top and bottom rails or shafts are usually made of Wood, as such material has the desired physical characteristics and permits the easy mounting of the hardware and the securing of the other parts of the frame which are attached thereto.

Recently, it has been proposed to make the top and bottom rails of extruded aluminum or magnesium alloy shapes, but in the use of such material certain other dilculties have arisen, which however, it is not necessary to discuss.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a loom harness frame in which the top and bottom rails are made of a composite form, With the main or body portions thereof made of wood having its inner and outer edges reinforced by a strip of aluminum or magnesium alloy of desired shape in cross-section which may be readily made by the extrusion process.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loom harness frame of the character aforesaid in which the top and bottom rails may be inexpensively made and which will be of consideri ably greater strength than those made entirely of wood.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loom harness frame having top and bottom rails of the character aforesaid which will permit the other parts of the frame to be readily and securely attached thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loom harness frame having top and bottom rails of the character aforesaid in which the hardware commonly used in such frames may be readily and conveniently mounted therein, as for example, the hooks or eyes Vfor attaching the actuating cords or straps to the rails of the frame, and also the so-called hooks on the inner edges of the rails which serve to support the heddle rods in the frame intermediate the ends thereof.

The nature and characteristic features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a loom harness frame embodying the main features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, enlarged, of one of the rails, the section being taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view, the section being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the manner of securing the reinforcing members to the body portion of the rail;

Fig. 4 is a similar view, the section being taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. l, showing the manner of mounting in the frame a "hook for the purpose of supporting one of the heddle rods intermediate the ends thereof;

Fig. 5 is a similar View, the section being taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. l, illustrating the mounting on the rail of one of the hook members for securing the actuating cords or straps to the frame;

Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating the use of a screw eye for the same purpose as the hooks shown in Figs. 1 and 5; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of one of the rails with one of the reinforcing members attached thereto by means of an adhesive.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawing herein are illustrative merely, and that various changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the` invention.

Referring to the drawing, in the particular embodiment of the invention therein shown, the heddle frame comprises the usual components of top and bottom rails I0, connected at their ends by end struts Il, heddle supporting rods i2 located near the inner edges of the top and bottom rails, respectively, and heddles I3 of any preferred type mounted on said rods l2.

The present invention relates more particularly to the construction and formation of the top and bottom rails Ill. Each of said rails, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 2 of the drawing, comprises a central body portion I4 made of wood reinforced along its top and bottom edges by reinforcing strips l5. The reinforcing strips l5 are preferably made of an extruded shape of one of the lighter alloys, of aluminum or magnesium, which are now available.

Each strip I5 has a transverse portion I6 and two side walls I1, the inner face of each of the side Walls l1 of the reinforcing strip t5 being inclined, as at I 8. with respect to the vertical central axis of the cross-section, thereby to provide between said faces an internal tapered groove or recess running from end to end of the strip. Each marginal part of the body portion I4 of the rail is shaped complementally to the internal groove of the strip I5 so as to snugly fit in said groove.

The outer faces of the side walls I of the reinforcing strip are preferably parallel and iiush with the side faces of the Wooden body portion I4 of the rail. of the reinforcing strip is provided with a longitudinal V-shaped groove I9 running from end to end for a purpose to be presently explained. The outer corners of the reinforcing strip, are preferably rounded as at 20 for the purpose of minimizing any tendency of the rails of adjacent frames to ride over each other when the shedding action takes place.

In the mounting of the various parts and attachments to the, rail, as well as the placing of the securing screws, no great Vdegree of accuracy is required in the lengthwise location of such devices, but it is important, however, that the same be properly centered transversely with respect to the rail, as otherwise there will be a tendency of the threadedl shank portions of such devices. to extend throughv the sides, ofthe body of the rail. With the foregoing in mind, the central longitudinal V-shaped groove I9 has; been provided, which will effectively serve as a means for centering the drills whichv are, used to make the holes for the threaded Shanks of the variousY parts, preliminarily to the mounting ofthe same in the rails, for example, the fasteningscrews 2l, the screws 22 for securing the end struts II, and the various other devices,V s uch as the attachment hooks 23 or eyes 24 for the actuating straps or cords not shown, and also for the hooks 25 for supporting the heddle rods I2 intermediate their ends. Y

The longitudinal groove I will also, serve as a means for preventingr undesired turning of the hooks` 2S or eyes 2d after the same are mounted in position, as such devices areusually provided with tits 2S which will seat themselves in the grooves I9 when the hooks or eyesare screwed into the rails to their; innermost limitl positions.

In lieu ofthefastening screws 2l, or in addition thereto, thereinforcing member I? may be secured tojtherail; Iby means of anadhesive 2T. Any of the adhesives,- which are now freely available in the market for effectively securing metal to wocdmay be used for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 7 of theV drawings. A discussion of such adhesives may be found on page 21 of the July 1947 issue of Plastica a copyofwhich is available in DivisionSS of the U. S. Patent Office,

The rails Ie of a harness frame, when constructed as aforesaid', and after the various attaching screws and other devices are mounted therein, will be foundi to be greatly strengthened and stiffened, as, the reinforcing strips are located at the placesof greatest. strain of the top and bottom rails,v and the same will, greatly lengthen the iife of the harness frame.

l claim:

l'. A loom. harness frame having top and bottom rails, the top and bottoml edges of which have reinforcing members mounted'thereon, Said reinforcing members each comprising a metallic strip havingl an, internal groove extending, from end to end and in which a complementally shaped edge portionofthebody. ofxthe rail is seated;

' 2,P A loom harness frame having. top Vand The transverse or horizontal portion.

bottom rails, the top and bottom edges of which have reinforcing members mounted thereon, said reinforcing members each comprising a metallic strip having a groove extending from end to end tapered in cross-section and in which a complementally shaped edge portion of the body of th rail is seated.

3. A loom harness frame having top and bottom rails the main or body portions of which are made of wood with reinforcing members mounted on the top and bottom edges thereof, said reinforcing members each comprising a metallic strip having a groove extending from end to end tapered in cross-section and in which a complementally shaped; edge portion of the body of the rail is seated.`

4. A loom harness frame having top and bottom rails the main or body portions of which are made of wood with reinforcing members mounted on the top and bottom edges thereof, said reinforcing members each comprisingl a metallic, strip having a groove extending from endrtoend tapered in cross-section and in which a complementally shaped edge portion of the bodyV of the rail is seated, and the side faces of said reinforcing strip being substantially ush with the side faces of the body portion of the rail.

5, A loom harness frame having top and bottom rails the main or body portions of which are made of wood with reinforcing members mounted onv the trop and bottom edges thereof, said reinforcing members each comprising a metallic strip having anV internal groove extending from end to end tapered in cross-section and in which a complementally shaped edge portion of the body of the rail is seated, the side faces of said reinforcing strip being substantially flush with the side faces of the body portion ofthe rail, and the reinforcing strip having on its external face a central V-shaped longitudinal groove extendingfromend to end thereof,

6. A loom harness frame having top and-bottom rails, the-top and bottom edgesof which have reinforcing members mounted thereon, said reinforcing members each comprising a metallic strip having on its external face a central V-shaped longitudinal groove extending from end to end thereof.

'7. A loom harness framel having topand bottom rails, the top and bottom edges of which have reinforcing members mounted thereon, said reinforcing members each comprising a metallic strip having an internal groove extending from end to end and in which a complementally shaped edge portion of the body of= the` rail is seated, and the reinforcing strip having on its external face a centraly V-srhaped longitudinal groove extending from end to end'thereof.

S` A loom harness frame having top, and bottom rails, the top and bottomedges of'which have reinforcing membersmounted thereon, saidA reinforcing members each comprising a metallic strip having an internal grooveextending from en dto end tapered in cross-section and inl Whicha complementally shaped edge portionofthegbody of the rail` is seated, and-thereirlforcing strip having on its external face` a centraLv-shaped longitifidinal grooveextendingfrom end to. endthereo 9. A loom harness frame having top and. bottom rails, thev main or body, portions of: which are made ofwoodA withl reinforcing members. mounted on the topV and-'bottom edges thereof; said reinforcing members each vcomprising-:a metallic strip having an internal groove extending'fromendto end tapered in cross-section and in which a complementally shaped edge portion of the body of the rail is seated, and the reinforcing strip having on its external face a central V-shaped longitudinal groove extending from end to end thereof.

10. A loom harness frame having top and bottom rails, the main or body portions of which are made of Wood with a reinforcing member mounted on at least one of the edges thereof, said reinforcing member comprising a metallic strip having a groove in which a complementally shaped edge portion of the body of the rail is seated, the reinforcing strip being secured to said edge portion of the rail by an adhesive.

11. A loom harness frame having top and bottom rails, the main or body portions of which are made of Wood with a reinforcing member mounted on at least one of the edges thereof. said reinforcing member comprising a metallic strip having an internal groove tapered in cross-section in which a complementally shaped edge portion of the body of the rail is seated, the reinforcing strip being secured to said edge portion of the rail by an adhesive.

12. A loom harness frame having top and bottom rails, the main or body portions of which are made of Wood With reinforcing members mounted on the top and bottom edges thereof, said reinforcing members each comprising a metallic Strip having an internal groove tapered in cross-section and extending from end to end and in which a complementally shaped edge portion of the body of the rail is seated, the reinforcing strips being secured to the Wooden body portion by an adhesive.

13. A reinforcing member for the edges of the rails of loom harness frames comprising a metallic strip having an internal groove extending from end to end, said groove being of tapered crosssection and in which a complementally shaped 4o edge portion of the body of the rail is adapted to be seated.

14. A reinforcing member for the edges of the rails of loom harness frames comprising a. metallic strip having an internal groove extending from end to end and in which a complementally 5 shaped edge portion of the body of the rail is adapted to be seated, and said reinforcing strip having, on the external face thereof Which is opposite the internal groove, a central longitudinal groove extending from end to end thereof.

15. A reinforcing member for the edges of the rails of loom harness frames comprising a. metallic strip having an internal groove extending from end to end, said groove being of tapered crosssection and in which a complementally shaped edge portion of the body of the rail is adapted to be seated, and said reinforcing strip having, on the external face lthereof Which is opposite the internal groove, a central V-shaped longitudinal groove extending from end to end thereof.

JOHN J. KAUFMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 25 le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 320,079 Martin June 16, 1885 30 342,874 Menuez June 1, 1886 526,732 Norcross Oct. 2, 1894 673,499 Fehr May 7, 1901 745,329 Coffey Dec. 1, 1903 847,800 Mills Mar. 19, 1907 1,082,317 Giardino Dec, 23, 1913 1,569,348 Andrews Jan. 12, 1926 1,864,232 Cocks June 121, 1932 2,082,480 Carr June 1, 1937 OTHER REFERENCES Wood-to-Meta1 Adhesives, by T. D.I Perry, July 1947, page 21, Div. 33. 

